You see them on a daily basis on television. They’re on the morning new programs, they’re on the daytime talk shows and you can always find them sitting on the couches of the late night talk shows. They are actors sent there to plug a new film or a television project. They are musicians with a new CD album that’s hitting the store shelves soon. They’re non fiction writers who have somehow unlocked the secrets of self esteem and weight loss or they’re celebrities with a new tell all book that is guaranteed to leave you speechless but inspired.
This type of television programming has always been the established format for a celebrity to hawk their latest projects in hopes that Americans will spend their recreational dollars on them. Many of these celebrities are making these cross country publicity junkets simply because their agents told them to do it and/or they have contracts with clauses that says they must do this dog and pony show.
In recent years a new, viable and powerful player in these publicity junkets has made a strong impression on entertainment agents. It’s NASCAR racing. During the course of a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, celebrities visit NASCAR tracks to sing our “National Anthem”, give drivers the command to start their engines, drop the ceremonial first green flag,drive the pace car to help start the race or just simply walk across a pre race introductions stage with big grins on their faces. It’s an opportunity to be seen and, promote their latest projects, in front of tens or thousands of fans not to mention the millions watching on television and every entertainment agent worth his salt knows this.
It’s apparent that some of these celebrities are seriously into racing and are happy to receive the VIP treatment at a NASCAR event. It’s also apparent that many of them do not have a clue about the power of NASCAR and can be often overheard screaming on their cell phones “why did you send me here?” at agents and publicists while, at the same time, sending unpaid interns out to locate a cappuccino machine.
But these famous men and women, with their toothy smiles and perfectly tanned bodies, gives the fans someone to stare and wave at while we awaiting the introductions of the real stars of the show: the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers.
You’re going to see plenty of these celebrities during this weekend when NASCAR returns to southern California and the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. That process will begin Saturday afternoon prior to the start of the Copart 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series event.
That’s where you’ll find Cassadee Pope, singer/composer from the rock band Hey Monday, on the staging leading us in the singing of our “National Anthem.” The Florida based band released their debut album around this time last year and are reported to be in the studio working on a follow up CD. Earlier this year they were named the 2009 Best Pop Punk Rookie Band by MTV. In case you’re wondering the answer is yes: that is very relevant in that particular world.
The Nationwide Series drivers will be receiving the command to start their engines from actor John C. Reilly acting in his capacity as Grand Marshall for the Copart 300. He’ll be only too happy to tell you that his new film, “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant”, will be released to theatres nationwide, (no pun intended), on October 23d.
Now here’s an actor with somewhat of a NASCAR connection that the fans can relate to. Reilly had roles in the Tom Cruise film “Days Of Thunder” and the Will Ferrell film “Talladega Nights” The Legend Of Ricky Bobby.” He was also seen in the award winning movies “Chicago”, “The Gangs Of New York” and “The Hours.”
Wow, look who we have as the official starter of Saturday’s Copart 300. It’s Kelly Osbourne. That’s right the daughter of Ozzy Osbourne, rock n roll’s Prince Of Darkness, is going to wave the green flag to launch the start of the race. She’ll also be telling us about future aspirations from her current stint as a celebrity contestant on the wildly popular ABC television program “Dancing With The Stars.”
This young lady came to national attention eight years ago when she was a star on her family’s award winning reality television show “The Osbournes” aired by MTV which gave us a very personal look at the bizarre life style of a rock n roll family. My favorite all time scene from the show featured Kelly running into the kitchen to teach a totally confused Prince Of Darkness how to use a toaster.
Sunday is of course Pepsi 500 day at the Auto Club Speedway and the fans will get treated to a rendition of our “National Anthem” by multi platinum selling recording artist and actor Jesse McCartney. This young singer burst onto the music scene last year with the smash album “Departure” and the song “Leavin” which stayed at the top of the charts for over five weeks. His fans should be on the look out for a new CD release later this year.
McCartney did the voice for Theodore the chipmunk in last year’s “Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Movie”. He’s wrapping up similar duties for “Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakuel” which is expected to be in theatres around Christmas.
The Sprint Cup teams will receive the command to start their engines from award winning actor Kelsey Grammer Sunday afternoon. That’s right: the actor who portrayed Dr Frasier Crane for an astounding 20 years on both the hit shows “Cheers” and “Frasier” is the Pepsi 500 Grand Marshall.
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